Mitch McConnell has been a fixture of Kentucky politics for nearly two generations—over forty years—the last 36 in the United States Senate. In the early years Mitch did good things in government, but he has gradually drifted to the Dark Side of American politics. This is not an unknown development among people who overstay their time in power. Mitch McConnell’s contribution to the American people’s right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness is now so negative as to be a leading advertisement for term limits.
Ralph Nader, a college classmate of a good friend, described McConnell as follows:
I have studied and interacted with many members of Congress. McConnell is the most brazen, evil, cruel and powerful legislator in the last 50 years. His lack of empathy for the vulnerable and disadvantaged is stunning. Ultra-wealthy himself, McConnell’s monetized mind, marinated with corporate campaign cash, believes whenever corporate demands conflict with people’s necessities, he should put Wall Street over Main Street.[1]
A good example of McConnell’s commitment to evil was his recent action concerning an economic relief package for the country. The president has long since removed any doubt that he cares anything about the American people. People are badly hurting, suffering under the ravages of the pandemic and simultaneous economic decline. In a crisis mostly caused by his catastrophic mismanagement of the pandemic and economic policy, Trump cares nothing for the 225,000 Americans who died on his watch. He personifies the Dark Side—ultimate evil. McConnell is his enabler. Indeed, he characterizes himself as the “Grim Reaper.”
McConnell recently demonstrated that he does mean death for many people in the country. With the president, he pushed for an instant replacement—using a sort of kangaroo-court-in-reverse process—for recently deceased Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg by Amy Barrett. Trump saw Barrett’s far right legal stance as possible future support for turning his defeat in the November 3rd national election into his victory. With only a few days remained in the Senate session, Trump and McConnell believed it imperative to have Barrett confirmed before the election so that she could vote on any attempt at overturning the election.
At the same time agreement on a new economic relief package to help the sick, hungry and despairing Americans appeared near completion in the House. On Tuesday, October 20th, as reported in The Washington Post on Wednesday, October 21st, McConnell warned the White House “not to strike an agreement with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi before the November 3rd election.” In remarks at a private Senate Republican lunch, McConnell told his Senate colleagues”
…any deal they reached could disrupt the Senate’s plans to confirm Amy Barrett to the Supreme Court next week. Republicans have voiced concerns that a stimulus deal could splinter the party and exacerbate divisions at a time when they are trying to rally behind the Supreme Court nominee.
McConnell put the brakes on negotiations at same time Pelosi’s office confirmed that the most recent conversation with the administration “provided more clarity and common ground as they moved closer to agreement,” the White House reported that the two sides had recently made “good progress” and a national poll had reported “overwhelming support for a $2 trillion stimulus package.”[2]
Amy Barrett was confirmed by the Senate early the next week by a vote of 52-48 and McConnell promptly adjourned the Senate to prevent any attempt to take up economic stimulus legislation. Thus, Americans continue to suffer while, as we see it, Trump attempts to stack the Supreme Court.
This is a terrible episode of malfeasance, corruption and dark politics by the Republican Party generally and Trump and McConnell in particular. For the party this sort of politics has been par for the course since McConnell became Majority Leader a decade ago and for Trump since the day he took office. It is far past time for both of these evildoers to leave public office.
“The essence of government is power; and power as it must be lodged in human hands, will ever be liable for abuse.” — James Madison, 1829
“Neither the wisest constitution nor the wisest laws will secure the liberty and happiness of a people whose manners are universally corrupt.” — Samuel Adams, 1749
“It is substantially true that virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government.” — George Washington, 1796
“Avarice, Ambition, Revenge…would break the strongest cords of our Constitution, as a whale goes through a net, our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government by any other.” — John Adams, 1798
“If worthless men are sometimes at the head of affairs, it is—I believe—because worthless men are at the tail and in the middle.” — John Adams, 1806
“Let me add, that only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters.” — Benjamin Franklin, 1787
“Tyranny can scarcely be practiced upon a virtuous and wise people.” — John Adams, 1796
John Jay
[1] Nader, Ralph, Opinion Contributor, Louisville Courier Journal, October 27, 2020.
[2] Stein, Jeff, Wagner, Erica, “McConnell warning puts cloud over stimulus talks,” The Washington Post, October 21, 2020, page A-1, 26.